Around the Farm takes a quick look at some of yesterday’s performances by Indians prospects throughout the system. The positions listed below are where the player was playing in yesterday’s game.

Paddy Matera (Carolina, 3B) - 2-6, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 K - Matera's RBI total continues to soar, now standing at 31 in only 60 Carolina League games. How was this guy playing in the Atlantic League to start the season? If he keep s this up, he may earn a ahot at Double-Akron next spring. The Sharknado is looking like a steal of a signing. Anyone who doubts the worth of scouting the independent leagues shouldn't after seeing what this guy is doing.

Clint Frazier (Arizona League, CF) - 2-5, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI - Frazier continues to impress as Tuesday night's effort raises his batting average to .314 and sees him pick up his fifth home run and 26th RBI in only 37 professional games. While a K:BB ratio nearing 5:1 is something of a concern (albeit a minor one at this point in his development), he has now gone two straight games without a strikeout. Hopefully, this is the beginning of him developing some plate discipline.

Jeremy Hermida (Columbus, DH) - 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 K - Hermida's blast to right center in the fourth gave the Clippers a lead they wouldn't relinquish. It was his only hit on the day, but it was enough.

Clay Rapada (Columbus, RP) - 1 IP, perfect - This perfect inning involved facing only two batters as he started an inning-ending 1-6-3 double play that retired the runner allowed by Langwell to start the inning.

Nick Hagadone (Columbus, RP) - 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R (both earned), 1 HR allowed - I note this outing only to urge people not to panic. These are the first runs, earned or otherwise, that Hagadone has allowed in 26 days, ending a nine outing, 8.1 IP scoreless streak. All is well. Remain calm.

Jose Ramirez (Akron, SS) - 2-4, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 CS, Picked Off 1 time - While J-Ram has been hitting pretty consistently with hits in nine of his last ten games, Tuesday night's triple was his first extra-base hit in that stretch.

Shawn Armstrong (Akron, RP) - 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R (unearned), 1 K - I've often talked in this column about relief decisions often coming down to a pitcher being in the right place (the pitching mound) at the right time (the half inning before the team takes the lead for good). This relief loss was a case of the wrong place at the wrong time (on the mound when a fielding error allows an unearned winning run to score).

Joe Wendle (Carolina, 2B) - 2-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K - Wendle has struggled recently (.243 in his last ten games compared to .294 on the season), but his first multi-hit night in a week represents some hope of a turnaround.

Bryson Myles (Carolina, LF) - 2-5, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K - Another solid night from a player desperately in need of a reversal of form (5-for-31 in his last nine games).

Erik Gonzalez (Carolina, SS) - 3-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 E - Gonzalez remains unstoppable at the plate (.432/.452/.595 in his last ten). While I don't normally get too worked up about a single error, Erik's fielding miscue in the bottom of the second allowed five unearned runs to score in a one-run loss. Not good.

Carlos Melo (Mahoning Valley, RP) - L (0-1, BS(1), 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R (both earned), 1 K - Not the kind of outing he was hoping for in his first game of the season in front of a significant crowd.

David Cooper (Arizona League, 1B) - 2-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB - What does David Cooper need to do to get a call up to Columbus or Akron? Seems like a matter of days....maybe he goes straight to Cleveland?

Grant Fink (Arizona League, 3B) - 2-5, 2 R, 1 K - Fink went into this game batting .364 in his last nine games and only improved on that number. He is on a roll right now.

User Comments

Tony

August 22, 2013 - 11:56 AM EDT

Matera will be hard pressed to have a spot next year in the organization. Just way too many priority infield prospects at AA or AAA next year. Now, I could see after his impressive performance where the organization maybe considers him for a fill in role at Columbus - a la like Rohlinger, Carson, etc did this year. No chance at a ML opportunity, but a guy who is consistent and reliable and gives innings. Nothing wrong with that.

Steven

August 22, 2013 - 6:10 AM EDT

Paddy Matera and Joe Wendle are two bright spots for the Indians organization. It seems that they don't get hot at the same time. Matera carried the team last month and now Wendle has turned it around. Lets get hot together boys and finish the season strong.

John

August 21, 2013 - 8:46 PM EDT

Paddy Matera should be moved up, his over .400 on base percentage is a huge factor why the Mudcats are a winning team in the 2nd half. It seems like the kid is always on base.

shy

August 21, 2013 - 1:46 PM EDT

The Indians could sure use a hot bat infusion. I think Cooper is a longshot because of the nature of his upper back problem, but the proof is in the pudding. Triple A pitching is full of guys trying to get called up in 2 weeks, if he can hit it, he can hit. Matera being such a good player is not a surprise, scouting the independents is like panning for gold. Nothin, nothin, nothin, and then gleam and boom. I watched Daniel Nava out here w the BoSox playing the Giants last night. I remember his first at bat after being called up from the Cape Cod League- he hit a grand slam. Some guys are late bloomers. Speaking of which where in the heck did Dane De La Rosa come from? Another Indy League guy throwing 98 and striking out Yan Gomes w the bases loaded last night. Everyone of the Angels relievers threw hard and harder, save for Blanton. I think Blanton and Chris Perez will both be in the minors next year. They both throw two many balls over the fence.

Tony

August 21, 2013 - 12:34 PM EDT

Gonzalez has certainly made some friends with his strong showing this season. Indians are very high on what he has not only done offensively this year, but defensively as well. He might open next season as the starting shortstop at Carolina and Paulino repeat Lake County.

art

August 21, 2013 - 12:25 PM EDT

Erik Gonzalez's bat seems to be coming out of nowhere this season. He now has 29 doubles, 10 triples and 9 HRs after showing little power up until now. For an infielder playing High A ball at 21 years old, that isn't too shabby. Frankly, I thought the Indians were going to let him go after his very disappointing batting performance last season.

Evan

August 21, 2013 - 10:40 AM EDT

Why the bizarre hang-up on pitching decisions? Meaningless stat largely out of the pitchers control. Luis Lugo is a beast btw.

art

August 21, 2013 - 9:52 AM EDT

Glad to see Cooper looks healthy, so far. I still like Monsalve as the best catching prospect in the organization, and possibly pushing for a major league spot by the end of next season, if he can stay on the field.

Norm

August 21, 2013 - 7:52 AM EDT

The way the minor league schedule looks it would not be too much of a surprise to see David Cooper in Columbus on Thursday. From there depends on him.

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